Wallabies in danger of losing Hanigan to ambitious French club just as forward enters his prime
Ned Hanigan is one of the in-form forwards in Australian rugby who looks set to finally turn promise into quality on the international stage,…
In the aftermath of the Wallabies World Cup squad announcement, many have questioned Quade Cooper’s selection given his performances of late.
However, Michael Cheika, the perennial tactician, has stated Cooper’s selection is to provide the team with a scapegoat for a tournament failure.
“Well we trialled this tactic in the Auckland Bledisloe,” Cheika told the press. “We put him on the field as an excuse if the All Blacks beat us.
“He played his role well – everyone blames him for the loss.”
The news of Quade’s ‘Scapegoat Position’ answers a lot of questions. After the match, Cooper faced criticism for claiming he played well, but with his new role explained, it has shed some light on his self-evaluation.
“He makes a great scapegoat,” Cheika said, “I mean he gets more boos than a Floyd Mayweather press conference!”
Yet there are concerns over the effect Cooper’s selection is having on the team’s culture.
“Yeah, he’s about as welcome as a salad at a BBQ to be honest,” a senior Wallaby has stated. “Some of the boys even think James O’Connor isn’t that bad by comparison.”
There has even been discontent voiced by officials. Referees Jaco Peyper and Nigel Owens have been quite vocal about Cooper’s inclusion. “To be honest, it wasn’t the indiscretion. Both Jaco and I gave Quade Cooper a yellow card because I didn’t think she should be on the field.”
The scapegoat position is not new to Australian sport. Cricket Australia hired Micky Arthur in a combined coach/scapegoat role for the national side, and is one of the most celebrated scapegoats.
“Just proud to do my thing for the team,” Cooper told a random gentleman in the toilet. “I mean winning’s good, but if you can’t it’s great to have someone to blame. Don’t forget to shake…”
Given that Pool A has been nicknamed “The Pool of Death”, the scapegoat could be useful should Australia not progress.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Ned Hanigan is one of the in-form forwards in Australian rugby who looks set to finally turn promise into quality on the international stage,…
As calls grow for the entire Rugby Australia board to be overthrown, new chairman Daniel Herbert described the agitators behind the movement as hypocrites…
Three things in the world of rugby have caught my eye this week, and got me thinking very hard about the way forward, and…
Amid a week of soul-searching for Stephen Larkham’s men, the Brumbies have received a massive boost ahead of Saturday’s home clash against the ladder-leading…
Jordan Petaia may have played his last match for the Reds, with the off-contract Wallabies back to miss the rest of the Super Rugby…
Joe Schmidt has made it clear that his preference is to pick from home in 2024. His thoughts on the Wallabies’ eligibility policy could…